Women's Basketball 2/28/2022 1:45:00 PM

Women’s Basketball Opens Up Big South Tournament Against Hampton

RADFORD, Va. – The Big South tournament begins Tuesday, March 1st, with Radford slated to face the sixth seeded Hampton Lady Pirates at 6 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: #6 Hampton 12-15 (8-9 Big South)
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 1st at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Bojangles Coliseum (Charlotte, N.C.)

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SERIES HISTORY
Tuesday's meeting will mark the third time in just seven days that Hampton and Radford have faced off. While Hampton took the two contests last week split at both team's home courts, both contests were decided by six-or-fewer points. Bridget Birkhead dropped 18 total points over the two contests while Rachel LaLonde scored a season-high 16 against the Lady Pirates in the Feb. 24 matchup.

Overall, Radford and Hampton have met 21 times with the first meeting dating all the way back to 1979. Hampton recently became members of the Big South, although is leaving for the Colonial this summer. Since joining the Big South Hampton owns the series edge by a 6-3 margin.

SCOUTING THE LADY PIRATES
Hampton comes into Tuesday's match-up winners of five of their last nine games. The Lady Pirates are led by Nylah Young who is their team leader in scoring and rebounding. Hampton is holding opponents to just 64.1 points per game this season but is being out-shot from three-point range by an average 2.7%.

SHOOT WELL FROM DEEP
The Highlanders will look to continue their successful shooting from deep as they head into the postseason. The team is shooting 31.8% from deep compared to their opponents shooting 30.7%. Birkhead is the team leader and top-five in the conference when it comes to three-pointers, but fans shouldn't sleep on many of the other threats from deep on the team including Destinee Marshall, Kyanna Morgan and Ashley Tudor who are all shooting over 30%.

FRESHMAN LEADERS
Multiple freshmen have stepped up for the Highlanders this season. Carmen Williams stepped into a starting role over the last month and has started in 14 of the 28 games she appeared in. Williams is just one of two Highlanders to have appeared in all but one or less games this season. Vanessa Blake has also stepped up big for the Highlanders, especially defensively, totaling 39 offensive rebounds this season to her 38 defensive rebounds.

LIMITING THE TURNOVERS
A key to success for the Highlanders on Tuesday will be limiting the turnovers, as it has been their "Achilles' heel" all season long. Opponents are turning over the ball five fewer times than Radford is this season. When Radford wins the turnover battle, the team post a 5-2 record. When the Highlanders haven't won the turnover battle, they own just a 2-19 record. On the defensive end of creating turnovers, Morgan leads the team this season with 28 while LaLonde isn't that far behind with 26.

FOLLOW RADFORD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
To follow the Radford women's basketball team throughout the season, visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @Radford_WBB on Twitter, 'radford_wbb' Instagram or Radford Women's Basketball on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#0 Rachel LaLonde: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#1 Destinee Marshall: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#24 Kyanna Morgan: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#22 Ashley Tudor: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#3 Bridget Birkhead: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#23 Carmen Williams: G; 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Vanessa Blake: C; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#0 Rachel LaLonde
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#1 Destinee Marshall
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Kyanna Morgan
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#22 Ashley Tudor
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G

#3 Bridget Birkhead
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#23 Carmen Williams
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: G

#14 Vanessa Blake
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: C